Bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus in which the communication direction of data of a bidirectional data line and the length of the data are judged. A bidirectional buffer circuit receives the results of such judgement and is made non-conductive on the basis of a data termination indication obtained from the received judgement after data is conducted in the communication direction based on the received judgement. Accordingly, the communication data waveform shaping and the driving capability are improved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus provided on a bidirectional communication line used for connecting appliances.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a conventional bidirectional communication line used for connecting appliances.

In FIG. 8, the reference numerals 1 and 2 designate a first control portion and a second control portion which are provided in a first appliance and a second appliance respectively. The first and second control portions are connected through a plurality of bidirectional communication lines, such as, for example, a serial clock line 3₁, a data line 3₂, a reset line 3₃, . . .

Next, the operation of the conventional system of FIG. 8 will be described.

In the case of data to be transmitted from the first control portion 1 to the second control portion 2, when the first control portion 1 sends out serial clock signals and data signals onto the serial clock line 3₁ and the data line 3₂ respectively, the second control portion 2 judges the state of the data signals received on the data line 3₂ on the basis of the serial clock signals received on the serial clock line 3₁ to thereby receive the data signals transmitted from the first control portion 1.

For example, upon reception of a transmission termination data signal inserted in the data at its last portion, the second control portion 2 terminates the data reception from the first control portion 1.

The same applies to the case where data is to be transmitted from the second control portion 2 to the first control portion 1.

Thus, the conventional appliances are connected through one system of a plurality of lines 3₁, 3₂, 3₃, . . . Accordingly, when the scale of the whole system is small, the number of control portions is also small as shown in FIG. 8 so that the total length of the respective lines 3₁, 3₂, 3₃, . . . of the data transmitting-end control portion and the data receiving-end control portion is short and the transmitting pulse waveform is never distorted, thereby permitting data to be transmitted accurately.

As the scale of the system becomes large, however, the number of control portions correspondingly increases so that the total length of the respective lines 3₁, 3₂, 3₃, . . . of the data transmitting-end control portion and the data receiving-end control portion becomes long even if the length of each of the lines 3₁, 3₂, 3₃, . . . is fixed so that the transmitting pulse waveform becomes distorted.

When the distortion of the transmitting pulse waveform becomes excessive, there results an error situation in the data transmission process.

A buffer apparatus can be used for amplifying a pulse waveform in the midway of each of the lines 3₁, 3₂, 3₃, . . . Since each of the lines 3₁, 3₂, 3₃, . . . is a bidirectional communication line, however, it is necessary to drive the buffer apparatus on the basis of a judgement of the communication direction of data. Accordingly, the configuration becomes complicated because of the necessity of driving the buffer apparatus in accordance with the communication direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention eliminates the problems described above and provides a bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus in which data transmission can be accurately carried out even if the bidirectional communication line is long, and which can be inserted in a desired position in the bidirectional communication line while data length is never affected by the insertion so that a number of control portions can be connected to perform system operation.

The bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to the present invention is made up of a communication direction judgement means for judging the communication direction of data of a bidirectional data line, a data length judgment means for judging a data length of the data, and a bidirectional buffer circuit provided on the bidirectional data line and arranged to be made non-conductive on the basis of a data termination output produced from the data length judgment means after data is conducted in the communication direction based on the communication direction output produced from the communication direction judgment means.

The bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is made up of a communication direction judgment means for judging the communication direction of clock signals of data of a bidirectional clock line, a data length judgment means for judging a predetermined data length on the basis of the number of clock signals of the data, and a bidirectional buffer circuit provided at least on the bidirectional clock line and a bidirectional data line and arranged to be made non-conductive on the basis of a data termination output produced from the data length judgment means after data is conducted in the communication direction based on the communication direction output produced from the communication direction judgment means.

The bidirectional buffer circuit of the bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to the present invention is made non-conductive on the basis of a data length termination output produced from the data length judgement means after data is conducted in the communication direction based on the communication direction output produced by the communication direction judgment means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the buffer apparatus of a synchronous type bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2(a) through 2(c) are waveform diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the buffer apparatus of a synchronous type bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b) are waveform diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the buffer apparatus of an asychronous type bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7(a) through 7(c) are waveform diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a conventional bidirectional communication line for connecting appliances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described hereunder.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the buffer apparatus of a synchronous-type bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 11 designates a serial clock line acting as a bidirectional communication line. A first terminal 11₁ is connected to a control portion of a not-shown first appliance through a not-shown serial clock line and a second terminal 11₂ is connected to a control portion of a not-shown second appliance through a not-shown serial clock line.

The reference numeral 12 designates a bidirectional data line acting as a bidirectional communication line. A first terminal 12₁ is connected to the control portion of the not-shown first appliance through a not-shown data line and a second terminal 12₂ is connected to the control portion of the not-shown second appliance through a not-shown data line.

The reference numeral 13 designates a communication direction judgement circuit for judging the communication direction of the serial clock signals supplied to the serial clock line 11 from the first and second terminals 11₁ and 11₂. The communication direction judgement circuit 13 is made up of a first communication direction judgement circuit 13A for judging the supply of serial clock signals applied to the first terminal 11₁ and a second communication direction judgement circuit 13B for judging the supply of serial clock signals applied to the second terminal 11₂.

The first communication direction judgment circuit 13A is made up of an inverter circuit 13a₁ for inverting the serial

clock signals supplied to the first terminal 11₁, a NAND circuit 13a₂ having two inputs supplied with an output of the inverter circuit 13₁ and an output Q of an RS filp-flop circuit 13b₃ of the second communication direction judgement circuit 13B respectively, and an RS flip-flop circuit 13a₃ having an input S supplied with an output of the NAND circuit 13a₂ and two R inputs supplied with the output Q of an RS flip-flop circuit 13b₃ of the second communication direction judgement circuit 13B and an output of a NOR circuit 14₆ of a data length judgement circuit 14 which will be described later, respectively.

The second communication direction judgment circuit 13B has a configuration similar to that of the above communication direction judgement circuit 13A.

The reference numeral 14 designates the data length judgement circuit which is made up of a buffer circuit 14₁ for amplifying the serial clock signals supplied to the serial clock line 11, an INV-OR circuit 14₂ having two inputs supplied with the respective outputs Q of the RS flip-flop circuits 13a₃ and 13b₃ constituting the first and second communication direction judgment circuit 13A and 13B respectively, an inverter circuit 14₃ for inverting an output of the INV-OR circuit 14₂, a 4-bit counter 14₄ having an input CK supplied with an output of the buffer circuit 14₁ and another input CL supplied with an output of the inverter circuit 14₃ so as to produce a high-state pulse as its output Q₄ when it has counted eight serial clock pulses, an inverter circuit 14₅, and the NOR circuit 14₆ having three inputs supplied with the output Q₄ of the 4-bit counter 14₄, an output of the inverter circuit 14₅, and an output of an INV-AND circuit 15₄ of a protection circuit 15 which will be described later.

The inverter circuit 14₅ is supplied, from a series circuit including a resistor R₁ and a capacitor C₁, with a reset signal for an initial-resetting operation of the RS flip-flop circuits 13a₃ and 13b₃ of the first and second communication direction judgement circuits 13A and 13B respectively when a power source is turned on.

The reference numeral 15 designates the protection circuit 15 which is made up of a monostable multivibrator 15₁ having an input A supplied with the input of the INV-OR circuit 14₂ of the data length judgement circuit 14, an inverter circuit 15₂ having an input supplied with an output Q of the monostable multivibrator 15₁, an integrating circuit 15₃ connected to the inverter circuit 15₂, and the INV-AND circuit 15₄ having two inputs supplied with an output of the integrating circuit 15₃ and the output Q of the monostable multivibrator 15₁.

A resistor R₂ and a capacitor C₂ for determining a time constant are connected to the monostable multivibrator 15₁.

The reference numeral 16 designates a bidirectional buffer circuit inserted in the serial clock line 11. The bidirectional buffer circuit 16 is made up of a first three-state buffer circuit 16₁ for amplifying serial clock signals supplied to the first terminal 11₁ on the basis of the output Q of the RS flip-flop circuit 13a₃ of the first communication direction judgement circuit 13A and a second three-state buffer circuit 16₂ for amplifying serial clock signals supplied to the second terminal 11₂ on the basis of the output Q of the RS flip-flop circuit 13b₃ of the second communication direction judgement circuit 13B.

The reference numeral 17 designates another bidirectional buffer circuit inserted in the data line 12. The bidirectional buffer circuit 17 is made up of a first three-state buffer circuit 17₁ for amplifying data signals supplied to the first terminal 12₁ on the basis of the output Q of the RS flip-flop circuit 13a₃ of the first communication direction judgement circuit 13A and a second three-state buffer circuit 17₂ for amplifying data signals supplied to the second terminal 12₂ on the basis of the output Q of the RS flip-flop circuit 13b₃ of the second communication direction judgement circuit 13B.

FIGS. 2(a) through 2(c) are waveform diagrams helpful for explaining the operation of the buffer apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2(a) shows the serial clock pulse signals SCK supplied to each of the first and second terminals 11₁ and 11₂ of the serial clock line 11, FIG. 2(b) shows the output Q of each of the RS flip-flop circuits 13a₃ and 13b₃, and FIG. 2(c) shows the output Q₄ of the 4-bit counter 14₄.

Next, the operation of the buffer apparatus will be described.

First, in the initial state, a high-state serial clock pulse signal SCK is supplied to each of the first and second terminals 11₁ and 11₂ as shown in FIG. 2(a), a reset signal is supplied to the inverter circuit 14₅ from the series circuit of the resistor R₁ and the capacitor C₁, and the RS flip-flop circuits 13a₃ and 13b₃ are in their reset state. Accordingly, the output Q of each of the RS flip-flop circuits 13a₃ and 13b₃ is in the low state, the output Q of each of the RS flip-flop circuits 13a₃ and 13b₃ is in the high state as shown in FIG. 2(b), and the output Q₄ of the 4-bit counter 14₄ is in the low state as shown in FIG. 2(c).

Accordingly, all of the first three-state buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ and the second three-state buffer circuits 16₂ and 17₂ are in the floating state.

In this condition, if a serial clock pulse signal SCK in the state as shown in FIG. 2(a) is supplied to the first terminal 11₁ and the state of the serial clock pulse SCK changes to low, the state of the output of the inverter circuit 13a₁ changes to high so that the state of the output of the NAND circuit 13a₂ changes to low.

IF the output of the NAND circuit 13a₂ changes in a manner as described above, the state of the output Q of the RS flip-flop circuit 13a₃ changes from low to high and the state of the output Q of the same changes from high to low as shown in FIG. 2(b), so that the first three-state buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ are operative and the serial clock pulse signals and data signals supplied to the first terminals 11₁ and 12₁ are transferred to the second terminals 11₂ and 12₂ after being amplified by the first three-state buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ respectively.

Further, since the state of the output of the INV-0R circuit 14₂ changes from low to high and the state of the output of the inverter circuit 14₃ changes from high to low, the clear state of the 4-bit counter 14₄ is released so that the serial clock pulse signal SCK supplied to the first terminal 11₁ is amplified by the buffer circuit 14 and then supplied to the 4-bit counter 14₄ so as to be counted therein.

In the above-mentioned condition, if the state of the serial clock pulse SCK changes from low to high, the outputs Q and Q of the RS flip-flop circuit 13a₃ as well as the output of the NAND circuit 13b₂ are held as they are, while the output of the NAND circuit 13a₂ changes.

Accordingly, even if serial clock pulses SCK are supplied to the second terminal 11₂, the second three-state buffer circuits 16₂ and 17₂ maintain their floating state and the first three-state buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ maintain their operative state.

When the 4-bit counter 14₄ has counted eight serial clock pulse signals SCK, the output Q₄ of the 4-bit counter 14₄ changes in a manner as shown in FIG. 2(c) so that the RS flip-flop circuit 13a₃ is reset to the initial state. Accordingly, the outputs Q and Q of the RS flip-flop circuit 13a₃ change from high to low and from low to high respectively, as shown in FIG. 2(b).

Accordingly, the first three-state buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ are changed to the floating state.

If the supply of the serial clock pulse signals SCK to the first terminal 11₁ stops in the midway of operation of the various parts in a manner as described above, the first three-state buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ are forcedly reset so as to be in the floating state with the time constant (which is longer than the time required for transmission of one data signal and shorter than the time from the start of one data transmission to the start of the next data transmission) determined by the resistor R₁ and the capacitor C₁ connected to the monostable multivibrator 15₁ of the protection circuit 15.

Accordingly, if abnormal data having bits constituting one word is transmitted for any reason in the midway of data transmission, it is possible that various parts of the system are reset into an initial state.

According to this embodiment, as described above, by insertion of a bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus in a long bidirectional communication line, it is possible to improve the communication data waveform shaping as well as the drive capability to enable error-free communication.

The bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus may be provided singly at a desired position in a bidirectional communication line.

Since the communication direction is judged for every minimum number of bits constituting one word, the system is not affected by a communication protocol.

Further, even in a system which includes a plurality of bidirectional communication lines, if the communication direction of any one of the bidirectional communication lines is judged, it is possible to control the other bidirectional communication lines, and therefore making it necessary to provide only a bidirectional buffer circuit in each of the other bidirectional communication lines.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the buffer apparatus of a synchronous type bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, items the same as or equivalent to those in FIG. 1 are referenced correspondingly and their description will be omitted.

The reference numeral 21 designates a judgement circuit for judging the communication direction and data length. The judgement circuit 21 is made up of a first judgement circuit 21A and a second judgement circuit 21B.

The first judgment circuit 21A is made up of an inverter circuit 21a for inverting the serial clock signal supplied to the first terminal 11₁, and a monostable multivibrator 21a₂ having two inputs A and B supplied with an output of the inverter circuit 21a₁ and an output Q of a monostable multivibrator 21b₂ of the second judgement circuit 21B respectively, an output Q of the monostable multivibrator 21a₂ being supplied to each of first buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ of bidirectional buffer circuits 16 and 17 respectively.

The second judgement circuit 21B has a configuration similar to that of the above judgement circuit 21A.

A time constant determining circuit comprising a resistor R and a capacitor C for determining a time constant is connected to each of the monostable multivibrators 21a₂ and 21b₂.

Each of the monostable multivibrators 21a₂ and 21b₂ may be either one of a monostable multivibrator of the trigger type in which when once triggered the output thereof is inverted only in a period of a time constant (set time) and a monostable multivibrator of the retrigger type in which when triggered again within a set time the set time is reset.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are waveform diagrams for explaining the operation in the case where each of the monostable multivibrators 21a₂ and 21b₂ is of the trigger type. FIG. 4(a) shows the serial clock pulse signals SCK supplied to each of the first and second terminals 11₁ and 11₂ of the serial clock line 11, and FIG. 4(b) shows the output Q of each of the monostable multivibrators 21a₂ and 21b₂.

Next, the operation of the buffer apparatus will be described.

First , in the initial state, since a high-state serial clock pulse SCK is supplied to each of the first and second terminals 11₁ and 11₂ as shown in FIG. 4(a), the output Q and Q of each of the monostable multivibrators 21a₂ and 21b₂ are in the low state and in the high state respectively as shown in FIG. 4(b).

Accordingly, all of the first three-state buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ and the second three-state buffer circuits 16₂ and 17₂ are in the floating state.

In this condition, if a serial clock pulse signal SCK in the state as shown in FIG. 4(a) is supplied to the first terminal 11₁ and the state of the serial clock pulse signal SCK changes to low, the state of the output of the inverter circuit 21a₁ changes to high so that the state of the output Q of the monostable multivibrator 21a₂ changes to high as shown in FIG. 4(b) only for a set time.

Accordingly, data can be transmitted if the above-mentioned set time is established so as to be longer than the time required for transmission of the data.

When the state of the output of the monostable multivibrator 21a₂ changes to low after the set time, the first three-state buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ become in the floating state.

Accordingly, the same effects as experienced in the first-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are waveform diagrams for explaining the operation in the case where each of the monostable multivibrators 21a₂ and 21b₂ is of the retrigger type. FIG. 5(a) shows the serial clock pulse signals SCK supplied to each of the first and second terminals 11₁ and 11₂ of the serial clock line 11, and FIG. 5(b) shows the output Q of each of the monostable multivibrators 21a₂ and 21b₂.

Next, the operation of the buffer apparatus will be described.

First, in the initial state, a serial clock pulse signal SCK in the state shown in FIG. 5(a) is supplied to each of the first and second terminals 11₁ and 11₂. When the state of the serial clock pulse SCK changes to low, the state of the output of the inverter circuit 21a₁ changes to high so that the output Q of the monostable multivibrator 21a₂ changes to high as shown in FIG. 5(b) only for the set time.

If the set time is established so as to be longer than the time required for transmission of one bit data, the monostable multivibrator 21a₂ is successively retriggered by the serial clock pulse signals SCK so that data of a predetermined number of bits can be transmitted.

Then, after a predetermined time has passed from the stopping of the supply of the serial clock pulse signals SCK, the state of the monostable multivibrator 21a₂ changes to low so that the first three-state buffer circuits 16₁ and 17₁ become in the floating state.

Accordingly, not only the same effects as those in the first-mentioned embodiment can be obtained, but also the apparatus of this example can be used in the case of transmission of data of a desired number of bits.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an asychronous type bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, items the same as or equivalent to those in FIG. 1 are referenced correspondingly and the description about them will be omitted.

The reference numeral 31 designates a communication direction judgement circuit for judging the communication direction of the data supplied to the data line 12 from the first and second terminals 12₁ and 12₂. The communication direction judgement circuit 31 is made up of a first communication direction judgement circuit 31A for judging the supply of data to the first terminal 12₁ and a second communication direction judgement circuit 31B for judging the supply of data to the second terminal 12₂.

The first communication direction judgement circuit 31A is made up of an inverter circuit 31a₁ for inverting the data supplied to the first terminal 12₁, and a D-type flip-flop circuit 31a₂ having an input CK supplied with an output of the invertor circuit 31a₁, another input D supplied with an output Q of a D-type flip-flop circuit 31b₂ of the second communication direction judgement circuit 31B and a further input CL supplied with an output of an INV-OR circuit 31a₃ which has two inputs supplied with the output Q of the D-type flip-flop circuit 31b₂ of the second communication direction judgement circuit 31B and an output Q_(n) of a counter 32₃ of a data length judgement circuit 32 which will be described later, an output Q of the D-type flip-flop circuit 31a₂ is supplied to a first three-state buffer circuit 17₁ constituting a bidirectional buffer circuit 17.

The second communication direction judgement circuit 31B has a configuration similar to that of the above communication direction judgment circuit 31A.

The reference numeral 32 designates the data length judgment circuit which is made up of a NOR circuit 32₁ having two inputs supplied with the respective outputs Q of the D-type flip-flop circuits 31a₃ and 31b₃ of the first and second communication direction judgement circuits 31A and 31B respectively, a clock generator 32₂ having an input CL supplied with an output of the NOR circuit 32₁, and the counter 32₃ having two inputs CK and CL supplied with an output CK of the clock generator 32₂ and an output of the NOR circuit 32₁ respectively.

FIGS. 7(a) through 7(c) are waveform diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7(a) shows the data DATA supplied to each of the first and second terminals 12₁ and 12₂ of the data line 12, FIG. 7(b) shows the output Q of each of the D-type flip-flop circuits 31a₂ and 31b₂, and FIG. 7(c) shows the clock pulse CK produced from the clock generator 32₂.

Next, the operation of the buffer apparatus will be described.

First, in the initial state, since a data DATA in the high state as shown in FIG. 7(a) is supplied to each of the first and second terminals 12₁ and 12₂, the output Q of each of the D-type flip-flop circuits 31a₂ and 31b₂ is in the low state as shown in FIG. 7(b), the output Q of each of the D-type flip-flop circuits 31a₂ and 31b₂ is in the high state, and the output Q_(n) of the counter 32₃ of the data length judgement circuit 32 is in the low state.

Accordingly, the first and second three-state buffer circuits 17₁ and 17₂ are in the floating state.

In this condition, if a data DATA in the state as shown in FIG. 7(a) is supplied to the first terminal 12₁ and the state of the data DATA changes to low, the state of the output of the inverter circuit 31a₁ changes to high so that the state of the output Q of the D-type flip-flop circuit 31a₂ changes to high as shown in FIG. 7(b) and the state of the output Q of the same changes to low.

In the outputs Q and Q of the D-type flip-flop circuit 31ahd 2 change in a manner as described above, the first three-state buffer circuit 17₁ becomes operative and the data DATA supplied to the first terminal 12₁ is transferred to the second terminal 12₂ after being amplified by the first three state buffer circuit 17₁.

Further, since the state of the output of the NOR circuit 32₁ changes from high to low, the clear state of the clock generator 32₂ and the counter 32₃ is achieved Accordingly, the clock generator 32₂ starts to generate the clock pulses CK as shown in FIG. 7(c) and the counter 32₃ counts the clock pulses CK generated by the clock generator 32₂.

In the above-mentioned condition, even if the data DATA is supplied to the second terminal 12₂ of the data line 12, the D-type flip-flop circuit 31b₂ maintains its initial state because the output Q of the D-type flip-flop circuit 31a₂ is in the low state.

Accordingly, even if the data DATA is supplied to the second terminal 12₂, the second three-state buffer circuit 17₂ maintains its floating state and the first three state buffer circuit 17₁ maintains its operative state.

When the counter 32₃ has counted clock pulses CK corresponding to a predetermined number of bits, the output Q_(n) of the counter 32₃ changes so that the D-type flip-flop circuit 31a₂ is reset to the initial state. Accordingly, the state of the output Q of the D-type flip-flop circuit 31a₂ changes from high to low as shown in FIG. 7(b) and the state of the output Q of the same changes from low to high respectively.

Accordingly, the first three-state buffer circuit 17₁ achieves the floating state.

According to this embodiment, the same effects achieved in the previous embodiment can be similarly obtained.

Although description has been made in the above embodiment only as to the case where serial clock pulses SCK and data are supplied to the first terminals 11₁ and 12₁, the same operation as above is performed in the case where serial clock pulses SCK and data are supplied to the second terminals 11₂ and 12₂.

Although description has been made as to the case where the data length judgement means is constituted by using a timer for a baud rate generator in the above embodiment of the asynchronous type shown in FIG. 6, the data length judgement means may be constituted by using a monostable multivibrator in the same manner as in the embodiment of the synchronous type of FIG. 3.

According to the present invention, as described above, the bidirectional buffer circuit inserted in the bidirectional communication line is configured so that after data is conducted in the communication direction judged by the communication direction judgement circuit, the bidirectional buffer circuit is made non-conductive on the basis of the data length termination output produced from the data length judgement circuit. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the waveform shaping of the communication data as well as the driving capability to ensure error-free communication.

Further, the bidirectional buffer circuit can be provided singly in a desired position in the bidirectional communication line.

Further, since the communication direction is judged for every minimum number of bits constituting one word or for every word, the bidirectional buffer circuit is not affected by a communication protocol.

Furthermore, even in a system which includes a plurality of bidirectional communication lines, if the communication direction of any one of the bidirectional communication lines is judged, it is possible to control the other bidirectional communication lines, and therefore making it necessary to provide only a bidirectional buffer circuit in each of the other bidirectional communication lines. 

We claim:
 1. A bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus provided on a bidirectional communication line which includes a bidirectional data line, said apparatus being positioned between and remote from each of first and second data transmitter/receiver units, said apparatus comprising:a communication direction judgement means for judging the communication direction of data of said bidirectional data line; a data length judgement means for judging a data length of said data in response to an output from said communication direction judgement means; and a bidirectional buffer circuit having a conductive state and a non-conductive state provided at least on said bidirectional data line and arranged to be made non-conductive on the basis of a data termination output produced from said data length judgement means after data is conducted, while the buffer circuit is in its conductive state, in the communication direction based on the communication direction output produced from said communication direction judgement means.
 2. A bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus provided on a bidirectional communication line which includes a bidirectional data line and a bidirectional clock line, said apparatus being positioned between and remote from each of first and second data transmitter/receiver units said apparatus comprising:a communication direction judgement means for judging the communication direction of clock signals of data of said bidirectional clock line; a data length judgement means for judging a data length on the basis of the number of said clock signals of said data in response to an output from said communication direction judgement means; and a bidirectional buffer circuit having a conductive state and a non-conductive state provided at least on said bidirectional clock line and said bidirectional data line and arranged to be made non-conductive on the basis of a data termination output produced from said data length judgement means after data, which is moving in the same direction as the clock signals, is conductive, while the buffer circuit is in its conductive state, in the communication direction based on the communication direction output produced from said communication direction judgement means.
 3. A bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said data length judgement means includes a counter circuit.
 4. A bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said data length judgement means includes a monostable multivibrator circuit.
 5. A bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said monostable multivibrator circuit is of a trigger type.
 6. A bidirectional communication line buffer apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said monostable multivibrator circuit is of a retrigger type. 